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(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Bonnie Leick.
On his first day of school, Little Monster is guided through his day by kind teacher Mr. Drool and new friend Fang. Eventually, the worried-looking little creature becomes eager for another day. Leick's watercolors--with gobs of not-too-gruesome monster-ish details (rats, cobwebs, creepy-crawlies, drool, etc.)--add originality to the oft-told first-day-of-school drama recounted in the singsongy rhymes.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| September, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-2852-5$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Adam Record.
A school is beset by ghoulies, to the rhythm of "The Ants Go Marching." On the final spread, the monsters--some of them, at least--are revealed to be kids costumed for Halloween. The catchy rhyming verse and humorous cartoony illustrations are enough to warrant an encore. An appended chart helps sort out the math (one by one, two by two...).
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2014
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-7850-6$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Will Terry.
This cumulative story, told in nonsensical verse, parodies the classic song "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly." The narrative is populated with western animals, including a roadrunner, lizard, snake, "'dillo," longhorn, and horse. Young children will enjoy the comical art and the repetitive, singsongy rhymes, but they will undoubtedly be puzzled as to how the cowpoke swallows himself.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| September, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5951-4$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Kevin O'Malley.
Little Bear asks Mama Bear, "If you were a doctor / in charge of a zoo / what would you do / if Gnu had the flu?" So begins a series of silly questions and answers in rhymed text that is both humorous and reassuring. Mixed-media illustrations star cartoon bears, with scribbly pictures by Little Bear given center stage on the pages.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| July, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5683-4$16.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Bonnie Leick.
A soothing rhyme describes a doe-eyed little monster's familiar (mostly) bedtime routine: "Bathtime, Little Monster / Scrub every scale. / Remember to wash / your plump, pointy tail." Mom even gives a peek under the bed, showing that there are "no scary children"--just a bat, spider, and rat. Engaging up-close watercolor illustrations enhance the story's monster-centric details in this loving bedtime tale.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-7824-7$16.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Will Terry.
In this "Three Little Pigs" takeoff, a "Big-bottomed Boar" is the bad guy, and three alligators prove that even in the swamp, nothing beats hard work and solid construction. The text includes some funny rhymes ("I'll wriggle my rump with a bump, bump, bump"). Animated illustrations feature googly-eyed gators and clever details (e.g., hot sauce is on hand by the chimney).
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5563-9$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ponder Goembel.
Old Man Gator starts tapping out a swamp beat. One by one other creatures join in: Ibis flippity-flaps, Bullfrog crickity-croaks, Red Fox yippity-yips; soon the whole swamp is singing. The otherwise realistic-looking animals are clad in hats, vests, etc. The rhymed text ("Dragonfly's wings / add to the beat. / He's chasin' mosquitoes / and lookin' to eat") will work well for read-alouds.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-8687-7$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Diane Greenseid.
This Texas "Jack and the Beanstalk" has cowgirl Waynetta climbing a cornstalk to find a ranch in the sky owned by a nasty giant cowboy. Waynetta retrieves her family's treasures, including a longhorn that produces golden cowpats, and tames the giant. The country expressions add regional flavor (though they get a bit tiresome). The boldly colored illustrations are appropriately larger than life.
32 pp.
| Walker
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-8027-8950-1$16.95
|
LibraryISBN 0-8027-8952-8$17.85
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Matt Collins.
Donna Rae, who is "known for going a bit too far," tests out some wildly elaborate creations for Danville's Fourth of July cake-baking contest. Each cake is a bigger catastrophe than the last, but Donna Rae emerges undaunted. The illustrations for this funny tall tale feature an effective combination of slapstick and realism.
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-8075-0457-2$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Will Terry.
Those who consider "The Little Red Hen" too cold-hearted will welcome this revision, in which Billie Armadilly feels guilty about not sharing her chili with three friends who wouldn't help her make it. The twangy text ("No workin' with Billie, no sharin' the chili!") only rarely goes overboard. Despite the garish hues, the careful paintings capture the brooding mood and Texas setting.
32 pp.
| Scholastic
| September, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-590-99723-8$$15.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Keith Graves.
Long ago, when Armadillo had huge ears, he used to eavesdrop and repeat distorted tales about other animals. Outraged, Alligator trimmed Armadillo's ears to the tiny size they are today. Ketteman's original pourquoi tale features colorful language, and the illustrations reflect the story's exaggerations. However, the wronged animals don't arouse much sympathy, and unlike some tricksters, Armadillo is merely disagreeable.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Scott Goto.
Shoeshine Whittaker cashes in shining shoes in the Old West town of Mudville but faces an angry mob when their shoes don't stay clean. Alas, polishing the town itself only gets him deeper into trouble. Though the overabundance of Western-speak ("What in thunderation are you talkin' about?") and the illustrations' depictions of large human features from odd perspectives may not appeal to all, this clever yarn will entertain those hankerin' for a tall tale.
(4)
K-3
Sepia-steeped gouache illustrations and a nostalgic text tell the story of a farm boy who goes on a surprise trip to the city to watch a Reds game and buy a baseball glove. After the boy loses his money, stoic Dad hands over funds intended for buying new boots so his son can realize his dream. The sentimental story will likely be of more appeal to adults than children.